Early History of the Spread of Buddhism and the Buddhist Schools

The book opens by examining the religious, social, and intellectual background in which Buddhism arose, especially the dissatisfaction with Brahmanical sacrifices, ritualism, caste privilege, magical practices, and speculative metaphysics. It then explains the internal forces behind Buddhism’s expansion, including the moral power of the Buddha’s teaching, the emphasis on ahiṃsā and mettā, the rejection of caste distinctions, the use of accessible language, right conduct, and the disciplined life of the Saṅgha. The next section studies external forces in the spread of Buddhism, including the personal authority of the Buddha, the influence of his major disciples, patronage, missionary activity, and the role of important regions. The chapters on Magadha, Kosala, the democracies, other eastern countries, and western and northern countries trace how Buddhism entered diverse political and cultural environments. The second book turns to the Buddhist schools, beginning with the evolution of sectarian traditions and then presenting the Mahāsāṅghika, Theravāda, Sarvāstivāda, and Sāṃmitīya schools, outlining their origin, development, doctrinal tendencies, and historical significance within early Indian Buddhism.